for Audiovisual Production

FIGHTING CORRUPTION IN NIGERIA

I have often wondered why it is so easy for elected officers and civil servants in Nigeria and other developing countries to siphon/divert money meant for capital and recurrent projects from the treasury into private bank accounts. How comes that a chairman of a local government in Nigeria who, before he assumed office, could hardly maintain himself and family but on assumption of office, becomes an overlord with expensive lifestyle? Why is it possible for a Governor of a State, a Minister, a Commissioner, a senator, a director in a Federal or State Ministry, etc., to divert most of the resources to his/her personal use? In view of the fact that these are politicians elected into offices or appointed, what is the role of civil/public servants in the ease with which money is diverted to private pockets? What roles do banks play in these fraudulent exercises?

Being a consumer nation with little functional industries, Nigeria depends mostly on oil revenue shared monthly to Federal, States and Local Governments. Who are the officers that have to oversee the disbursement of Federal, State and Local government revenue once it is allocated.

How does the way revenue is distributed and utilized in Nigeria differ from what obtains in Britain, France, Canada and America and other developed countries?

Many efforts are being made to curb corruption in Nigeria but I think fighting corruption in newspapers without starting from the source of that corruption is an exercise in self deceit.

Why are elections so very expensive in Nigeria and why do old politicians recycle themselves? Elections are so very expensive in Nigeria because elected politicians are paid outrageous salary and allowances. Report has it that a Senator in Nigeria is the highest paid in the world. A politician who wants to be re-elected will from day one, begin to save for the next election. If s/he is made a member or chairman of any Federal or State parastatal or committee, his ambition will be how to amass enough money from that assignment in preparation for the next election. How then can we genuinely fight corruption in Nigeria in the face of this loophole? How can the civil/public service be made more honest and accountable? These are questions that need to be looked into if we are sincere about fighting corruption

Share this:

Like this:

Related

Published by hyacinthdike

The vision of this blog is to agitate the minds of Africans and to awaken their creative potentials to be competitive in the committee of nations. We want to turn Africa from being a “dark continent” to a continent of technological surprises in this 21st century.
View all posts by hyacinthdike